Guide mechanism for cloth.



H. C. BREHMER.

GUIDE MECHANISM FOR CLOTH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, I914.

" Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

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2 SHEETS-SHEET I- ATTORNEY WITNESSES H. C. BREHMER.

GUIDE MECHANISM FOR CLOTH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1914.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR WITNESSES ATI'O R N EY HERMAN C. BREHMER, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR '10 H. "W.-

BUTTERWORTH & SONS COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A COR- IE'ORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

GUIDE MECHANISM FOR CLOTH.

' means.

Specification of Letters Patent.

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To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN G. BRnHMER, at the ends of the machine, spaced apart a,

a citizen of the United States, and resident of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Guide Mechanism for Cloth, of which the following. is a specifica- -tion. This invention relates to a guide mechanism for cloth and more particularly to a means for centering the cloth being fedto a stentering machine or machine of like character.

The object of my invention is to provide a motor device, controlled by a suitable pressure fluid, for, operation with a trip mechanism adapted to maintain the width of the cloth within predetermined limitaell parts of said automatic mechanism being constructed forsensitive and delicate action and capable of responding substantially instantly to abnormal conditions.

It has for a further object to provide a motor wherein a movable part thereof is accurately and positively guided while the bearing of said movable part is so constructed thatadjustments of other adjuncts of the motor have no efiect thereupon.

My invention also comprehends details of construction Which, together with the features above specified, will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a guide and tension device embodying my invention; Fig. 2 represents a rear elevation of the same; Fig. 3 represents an end elevation of a stentering machine or machine of like character showing the guide and tension devices in operative position; Fig. 4 represents a vertical section of the valve mechanism; Fig. 5 represents a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 represents a plan of one of the bearing members for the valve stem.

1 designates a bracket provided with a suitable flanged part 2 by which it may be removably secured by suitable fastening devices to the main frame of a stentering machine or machine of like character, or as shown in Fig. 3 may be connected to a rider or traveler 3 guided upon transverse rods 4 of the machine, and operated by the transverse feed screws 5 as will be understood. There are ordinarily two brackets dlstance corresponding substantially to the Width of the material being fed through the mach ne and the location of these brackets with respect to the said material will be more fully disclosed in connection with the descrlptlon of the guiding adjuncts carried by the aforesaid brackets. The bracket 1, 1n the present instance, carries a metal guide roll 6 rotatably mounted upon the fixed sp ndle 7 and adjacent thereto is a movable spindle 8 carrying a second guide roll. 9 preferably of rubber and arranged ,in opposed relation to the roll 6. The spindle 8 is journaled in a bell crank frame or yoke 10 of which one pair of the ends are con nected by a tubular member 11 journaled upon the rod 12 which is fixed to the bracket The opposite ends of the yoke 10 are oined by atransverse bar 13 having a flanged portion 14: to form a bearing surface for contact with certain adjuncts of the operating mechanism. 15 designates suitable guide plates fixed to the bracket 1 111 any desired manner and suitably located with respect to the rolls 6 and 9 in order to properlyguide the material between the two rolls and also prevent the same from becoming entangled with the operating mechanism. It will, of course, be understood that while I have described the rolls 6 and 9 as respectively of metal and rubber, I do not wish to be limited to these materials, as any suitable material may be used which is capable of properly gripping and guiding the material to the machine. The two guide rolls 6 and 9 are arranged in substantially the same horizontal plane, whereas the guide plates 15 are arranged in a vertical plane, the fabric passing upward between the said guide rolls 6 and 9.

16 designates a post preferably of angular form and having its base portion 17 mounted for adjustment'upon the bracket 1 by means of the slot 18 and bolt 19. The outer or free end of the post 16 is suitably apertured to receive the tubular extension 20 of a cylin der 21, the said extension projecting through the post 16 and being screw-threaded to receive the nut 22 by which the parts are secured in assembled condition.

()ne end of the cylinder 21 is closed and provided with exhaust ports 23, while the opposite open end has screw threadedengagement with a casing 24, within which is located the valve mechanism for controlling the operation of the parts contained within the cylinder 21.. These parts comprise a piston25 mounted for free 'reciprocatory mdvement withinthe cylinder and carrying a plunger 26 at one side which passes through and projects from the extension 20 for a purpose to be later described. The op posite side of the piston 25 is provided with a stem 27 journaled in an apertured disk or spider 28 by which thesaid piston is accurately centered so, that it may reciprocate,

properly without binding or becoming distorted in use.

29 designates a spring encircling the plunger 26 and held between the piston25 and theextension 2O sothat its tendency is to return the piston 25 to normal posit1on after the motive fluid piston. I

In connection with the member 28 t w1ll be noted that the outer ends of the radial has actuated the said arms thereof are circumferentially milledor machined as shown at 30, whereby'one portion of the bearing member accurately fits the interior of the cylinder 21, while the remaining portion 30 seats between the shoulder 31 of the cylinder 21 and the threaded part 32 of the casing 24. It will furtherbe' seen that the part 30 has a thicknesspreferably less than thespace inwhich it is seated in order to provide a slight clearance when the casing 24 has been properly assembled on'the cylinder 31. This clearance prevents the spider 28 from being clamped in a fixed manner between "the two parts and thus effectually eliminates twisting or buckling which would impair the proper movement of the'piston 25.

33 designatesthe body portion of a valve member having oppositely disposed stems 34 and 35, the former, passing through the closure cap 36 at one side of the casing,

while the latterprojects through the oppo site side and is held by a screw37 and washer 38 or like fasteningmeans, though it will'be noted that this connection is not such as to prevent free movement of the body portion within the casing 24.

The body part 33 is suitablybored to form intersecting channels 39 and 40, the former having communication with a port 41, which in certain positions of the valve body comes and to one side of the ports 44 and 45 are alineniena theinotive fluid has free passage into the cylinder 21 piston 25, as will be understood. i

46 designates an "exhaust port or channel vout in the outer face ofthe valve piece adjacent the ports 44 and preferably extending from one side of the plug to the other so that when it in turn is in alinement with the ports 45, the pressure in the end of the cylinder 21 will be relieved. and the motive fluid exhausted by way of the port 46 into the interior of the'casingfand' from which it has free access to the outside of the casing by way of the opening47 or the like. This opening 47 permits access to the valve body, and it will be noted that one end of the port 40 is closed by a screw 48, so that upon its removal 2, suitable implement or tool may be inserted to adjust the valve piece 43 for wear. The valve iece is ordinarily fixed in adjusted position y a set screw 49 in aline [ment with which is an opening 50 in the casing so that the screw may be readily manipulated. -The screw 51' which is threaded.

through thecasing 44 serves as a stop to limitthe throw of the valve body.

52 designates a rod adj ustably mounted on the pro ecting end of. the valve stem 34 and having one end threaded toreceive a counterweight 53 while intermediate its length thereis a trip arm 54 which extends into the path of movement of. the trip finger 55..

This latter element is preferablypivoted to the post 16 and has its opposite. end extended through one of the guard plates 15, where it assumes a position adjacent the path of movement of the material. The counterweight 53 isnormally adjusted so -that the valve body 33 is positioned withthe ports 44 in register with the ports 45, and since at this time the inlet port 41 is in alinement with the channel 42 the motive fluid has a free passage into the cylinder 21 and therefore maintains theplunger 26. outwardly pressed. 5 56 designates a bell crank lever pivoted at '57 to the post 16 and provided with a lug or contact member 58' which is arranged in close proximity to thefianged contact surface of the yoke, frame.

The operation of the device is as'follows ,Beforetaking up the description of'the operation ofthe machine and details, it should be borne in mind that the mechanism of my present inventlon is adapted for use in connection with the guiding and positioning of cloth which is being fed to a suitable machine, such machine being in the present instance a stentering machine for guiding and feeding cotton, woolen, linen, silk and other fabrics, though its use is not limited in this particular as it is readily applicable to all machines where a continuous run of cloth is required.-

By reference to Fig. 3 the guide mechanism embodied in my invention will be seen in its operative position at the end of the machine, and it will be noted that the guide rolls 6 and 9 are inclined with respect to the horizontal plane of the machine so that as the cloth is fed between the pairs of rolls it will receive an initial stretching-preparatory to being delivered to the feeding rolls. While the slight incline is given to the axis of the rolls to produce the stretching effect on the fabric, the relative arrangement of the two rolls 6 and 9 is in substantially a horizontal plane as the fabric passes between them in a vertical direction. In adjusting the frames for the guide rolls, reference is had to the location of the trip fingers 55, since these oppositely disposed fingers should be spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the normal stretched width of the cloth so that any further widening or stretching will cause the selvage of the material to strike one or the other of the fingers and thus automatically bring the valve mechanism into operation. Under normal conditions the counterweight 53 holds the valve stem 34 in such a position as to admit pressure fluid to one side of the piston 25, thus forcing the plunger 26 outwardly against the lever 56 and causing the latter to press against the yoke bar 13 while the roll 9 is thereby pressed against the cloth passing under the roll 6. When the cloth exceeds the desired width, or irregularities in the se'lvage cause the fabric to strike the trip finger or trip fingers 55, the trip arm 54 is shifted to raise the rod 52 against the weight 53 and thus swing the valve piece 43 into exhaust position, that is, with the channel 46 in register with the ports 45. In consequence the pressure within the cylinders 21 is relieved and the spring 29 draws the plunger 26 inwardly, whereupon the yoke member 10 carrying the roller 9 moves by gravity away from the roll 6 and relieves the cloth. As soon as the cloth returns to its normal width and out of contact with the trip fingers, the valve mechanism automatically acts to admit pressure fluid into the cylinder and again bring the two rollers into engagement with the cloth.

In connection with the adjustment of the bracket 1 relative to the machine frame or to the cloth being fed to the machine, it will be noted that the flanged part 2 is substantially pivotally mounted upon its supporting part so that the bracket may be turned to the required angle. Furthermore the relation between the supporting post 16 and the guide rolls is such that when the bracket is.

positioned so that the plunger 26 of the motor is vertical, the rolls will be properly inclined to effect the necessary stretching of the cloth. The normal position of the motor is a vertical one and for eficient operation of the device the bracket should be adjusted with great accuracy so that the reciprocating parts of the motor operate in a vertical manner. The importance of this arrangement will be apparent when it is understood that; under operating conditions the motor is continually reciprocating, or vibrating to be more exact, and the tendency to wear on one side or the other would be very great if the plunger 26 were in a position other than the vertical. -As a further safeguard for accurate operation of the cylinder 25 the spider bearing member 28 is provided and that portion of this member which fits within the cylinder 21 is just as accurately fitted as the piston itself, and thereby maintains the free end of the piston centered at all times.

Another important feature of the device resides in mounting the motor supporting post in an adjustable manner upon the bracket 1 since this construction affords a means for varying thethrow or movement of the cloth gripping roll 9.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a novel and useful construction which embodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable, and while I have in the present instance shown and described the preferred embodiment thereof which has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that I do not restrict myself to the details, as the same are susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the character stated, the combination of a suitable frame, .a pair of rolls rotatably mounted thereon in a substantially horizontal plane and relatively movable to and from each other, a vertically arranged cylinder and reciprocable piston therein supported by said frame, an operating lever positioned so as to be actuated by movement of said piston and adapted to transmit movement of said piston to one of said rolls in a direction at an angle to the direction of movement of the piston to vary the distance between said rolls, means to shift the fulcrum of said lever relatively to the rolls to regulate the extent of relative movement between the rolls, a trip finger located adjacent to the rolls and in the path of movement of the material being gulded, and means controlled by the movement of said finger to actuate said piston.

2. In a device of the character stated, the combination of a suitable frame, a pair of rolls rotatably mounted thereon and relatively movable to and from each other in a substantially horizontal plane, a vertically arranged cylinder and reciprocable piston therein supported by said frame, an operating lever Positioned so as to be actuated by a vertica movement of said piston and adapted to transmit movement ofsaid piston to one of said rolls in a horizontal direction to vary the distance between said rolls,

a pivoted trip finger located adjacent to the rolls and in thepath of movement of the weight is located substantiallyin a horizon- I '1 -Witnesses':

' tal plane with the valve device vvhei'eb it is operated b gravity in one directio' said tripfinger aving a movable connection with the counterweighted arm for operating the latter against the gravity action of the welght. 5 i

In testimony of which invention, Ihere-- unto set my hand.

HERMAN to, BREHMER. t

I R. MIHUNTER,

HORACE" D. REEVE. 

